Lacework holder



KOPPO SAITO June 19, 1956 LACEWORK HOLDER Filed April 25, 1955 Kappa Sai/o INVENTOR.

9 BY MW EM LACEWORK HOLDER Koppo Saito, Tokyo, Japan Application April 25, 1955, Serial No. 503,707

4 Claims. (Cl. 28-15) The present invention relates to a new and improved lacework holder, that is, a simple, practical and handy base or an equivalent member, and accessories which are expressly designed to be used in conjunction therewith, whereby the user may undertake to reliably handle socalled Teneritfe work.

In the art to which the invention relates, the main structural part of the equipment is commonly referred to as a holder, being sometimes construed, broadly, of course, as a pin-equipped frame. Examples of such adaptations are disclosed, for instance, in Patent No. 769,555, issued to J. F. Markes et a1. Others, perhaps more analogous to the nature of the invention here, are disclosed in Patent No. 744,610 granted to Augusta Proctor and 689,860 granted to Ada S. Dixon, all serving intended users in systematizing and expeditiously carrying out the steps necessary in handling Teneritfe work.

It has been said that a problem solved is no longer a problem. All of the prior patentees have sought to solve the over-all problem in one manner or another. The obvious purpose of the instant invention is to structurally, functionally and otherwise improve upon the aforementioned similarly constructed and performing adaptations and, in doing so, to better solve the problem, to meet the economy requirements of manufacturers and retailers, and the general handiwork and art needlework needs of users.

The invention features a construction which lends itself to apt and satisfactory use during which any kind of yarn (wool, cotton, rayon, silk and the like) may be satisfactorily used for winding the loops, the aforementioned base being, more specifically, a specially constructed pin cushion characterized by a lightweight substantially non-compressible wood-packing filler which facilitates reliable anchoring and retaining of ordinary straight pins.

In better carrying out the steps for expeditious lacework requirements, it has been found desirable to provide winding and retaining means for the inner bight portions of the winding loops. It is therefore an object of the invention to provide improved readily insertable and removable center pin means for this purpose.

Another object of the invention is to provide the central portion of the top or upper part of the pin cushion with an axial vertical socket which is used as receiving and retaining means for the center pin and wherein the latter is preferably an ordinary needle which is turned upside down so as to carry the intermediate portion of a cotton or equivalent thread, that portion of the thread which is attached to the needle cooperating with the needle and the socket and the exposed free end portions which are left to lie atop the cushion, to serve as a handy loop for tying the converging bight portions of the aforementioned yarn loops to permit the basic multiple loop pattern to be subsequently woven and transformed into a unique and fascinating design.

Other objects, features and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description nited States Patent and the accompanying sheet of illustrative drawings.

In the drawings wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the views:

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the improved lacework holder, the manner in which the thread-equipped needle is inserted and retained, and the ball of yarn about to be brought into play;

Figure 2 is an enlarged plan view of the same minus the ball of yarn;

Figure 3 is a still further enlarged view in section and also partly in elevation, taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the fundamental or basic looped workpiece or pattern finished and the hands in a position to tie the converging bight portions of the loops together at the center of the pattern;

Figure 5 is an elevational view of the insertable and removable thread-equipped needle; and

Figure 6 is a fragmentary plan view showing a portion of one of the many patterns or pieces after it has been fully handmade.

Referring now to the drawings with the aid of reference numerals and lead lines, the base takes the form of an easy-to-handle pin cushion. This is characterized by a snug fitting outer casing which is here denoted by the numeral 8 and comprises a tough leather or equivalent top portion 10 and a eomplemental bottom cloth portion 12 having their adjacent edges overlapped and suitably fastened together around the periphery, as at 14. Encased within this casing is a substantially solid lightweight stufling or so-called filler media. This is generally denoted by the numeral 16, and in practice, is made from specially prepared woodpacking which is durable and which makes pinning easy.

The numerals 18, 20 and 22 applied somewhat at random in Figure 3 represent the prepared prearranged pin holes which, as better shown in Figure 2, are orderly positioned in either concentric circular rows, or in rectangular or equivalent form in respect to the axial center of the over-all cushion. On the outer marginal edge of one side, there is a metal or equivalent hold-down clip 24 having its shank 26 securely embedded and permanently anchored in the filler, as perhaps best seenin Figure 3. At the axial center of the upper portion, there is a suitable socket for reception of the insertable and removable needle 28. Generally speaking, this part may be treated as a center winding post, pin or equivalent hub-like member around which the bight portions of the loops of the pattern are wound, in an obvious manner. There is a grommet 30 provided in the center of the top of the casing section 10 which aligns or registers with the socket. As stated, the part 28 is preferably a needle which is turned upside down, the shank of the needle being denoted at 32 and the pointed end being curved, as at 34. The eye-equipped end is at 36, and the central portion of a cotton thread 38 is threaded therethrough. The center portion is denoted at 40, and the free end portions at 42 and 44, respectively. The headed pins, which are used in the Teneritfe technique are denoted by the numerals 46. If desired, and as shown in the drawings, the innermost circle 48 may be designated by a number, for example, the numeral 1. The outermost circle 50 may be designated by the numeral 8 and the intervening ones consecutively numbered. This assists in picking out the proper circle for anchoring of the pins.

In practice, the pins are placed in the cushion at a 70 angle in every other hole, for example, on line 6, whereby approximately twenty-four pins would be used. The needle 28 is threaded with a length of cotton thread approximately four inches, and one end, the end portion 42, is three inches and the other extending end portion 44 is approximately one inch. The thus threaded needle Patented June 19, 1956 is inserted through the grommet and into the center hole or socket, placing the longer thread on the left side, as illustrated. This transforms the portions 52 and 54 (see Figure 3) into a sort of a ready to use tying loop. The end portion 56 of the ball of yarn or the like 58 is fastened to the hold-down clip 24- in the manner shown in Figure l. The operator then winds the loops back and forth to provide outer bight portions 60 around the pins and inner bight portions 62 which are around the needle and are later formed into a hub, using the tying thread 38 for that purpose. By catching hold of the needle and lifting it up and bringing the loop means into play, it will be seen that the needle is detached from the short end 44 and then both ends of the thread 38 are available to be knotted and to tie the inner bight portions 62 to provide a common center.

The needle 28 may be used for extra weaving steps, and where the pattern is left in position on the convex surface of the cushion, the needlework may be taken care of very handily to form, for example, the finished artistic pattern shown at A in Figure 6. No effort will be made herein to set forth the various needlework steps which may be resorted to in making various designs, either at the center of the pattern or at the marginal edges or elsewhere. Countless designs are capable of being woven both in and around the round or circular patterns or square patterns. No strain or effort is needed. it is simple to manipulate by both adults and children. The construction will economize in yarn, save time, and it is easy to operate and may be used for any purposes at any place. With only one cushion and the paraphernalia shown, one may produce skilfully designed circular pieces or lace wheels for the making of dresses, stoles, sweaters, etc.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A lacework holder comprising a pin cushion embodying a snug-fitting casing and filler media encased therein, said filler being of a substance of material susceptible of permitting the pointed ends of common straight pins to be manually forced and securely anchored therein with the headed ends projecting above the top of said cushion, the top of said casing having preformed pin holes therein and said holes being expressly arranged in predetermined concentric circular or similar orderly rows for selective use, and a grommet at the axial center of said casing for reception, passage and retention of an insertable and removable center winding member, a needle for example, whereby to permit the lacework forming yarn, or other thread-like material, to be looped around said pins and center winding member in a generally well known manner such as is pursued in making so-called Tenerifie lace wheels and similar patterns or 'zpieces.

2. The structure defined in claim 1 and wherein said cushion is circular in plan, has a convex bottom and a convex top, said filler media being a firm body of lightweight wood-packing.

3. The structure defined in claim 1 and the combination therewith of said needle, the latter being threaded with a length of cotton, and the needle being inverted and the threaded end passing downwardly through said grommet and being embedded in a socket provided therefor in said filler media, and the free ends of the thread being free and extending upwardly through and exteriorly beyond said grommet to provide ready-to-use tying elements, the latter being used to interconnect and tie the inner bight portions of the respective loops of the potential lace wheel together when said needle is withdrawn from said socket.

4. A lacework holder comprising a pin cushion embodying a snug-fitting casing and filler media encased therein, said filler being of a substance of material susceptible of permitting the pointed ends of common straight pins to be manually forced and securly anchored therein with the headed ends projecting above the top of said cushion, the top of said casing having perforated pin holes therein and said holes being expressly arranged in predetermined concentric circular or similar orderly rows for selective use, there being a central axial socket formed in said filler media, an inverted needle removably fitted into said socket, and a length of thread having its intermediate portion threaded through the eye, the ends of the thread being free and extending upwardly through and exteriorly beyond said socket to provide ready-touse tying elements, the latter being adapted to interconnect and tie the inner bight portions of the respective loops of the potential lace wheel together when said needle is withdrawn from said socket.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 689,860 Dixon Dec. 31, 1901 744,610 Proctor Nov. 17, 1903 769,555 Markes et al. Sept. 6, 1904 2,605,032 Hunt et al. July 29, 1952 

